Solbakken

A Tale of Generations

By: Wendy Jo Cerna

Narrated by: Wendy Jo Cerna

"Happy birthday dear Mom, Grammy, Tora, Auntie, Happy birthday to you!”

The people that fill my screen–each in their own little box–sing and smile once more before disappearing one by one.

Blowing them kisses, I say, “Thank you all. I love you!” As I reflect on this 65th birthday of mine, filled with the forced distances of our pandemic era, the phone rings, jarring me back into the moment.

“Hello Billy,” I say.

“Hey, Tor.” My cousin’s tone is serious. His words clipped.

“What’s going on? Everyone okay?” I ask.

“Yes, we’re fine, but...well, I was just driving by your Uncle Einar’s place. I hate to tell you this, Tora, but somebody broke in. The sheriff is coming out in the morning. It’s quite a mess in there. Looks like every drawer and cupboard was emptied out.”

Uncle Einar’s home stands empty much of the year, and is the original family homestead my grandparents built in Solbakken, Minnesota, in the early 1900s after immigrating from Norway.

“What? Are you kidding? Who would do that?” I spout. “You need me to come up there?”

A house. A mess. A mystery. Amongst the scattered papers and photographs, intriguing questions lay unanswered in the Anderson family lineage, hidden for decades. When a stash of ancient coins is found and a gifted stranger moves in next door, windows are opened to incredible possibilities that transcend imagination, transporting Tora throughout her family’s generations.

©2023 Wendy Jo Cerna (P)2023 Wendy Jo Cerna

A journey of discovery

The story was very well written keeping my husband and I engaged throughout the entire drama unfolding before us. I could hardly wait until the next opportunity arose to continuing listening. I felt as though I were in the room or scene with each twist of the tale.
The story was intriguing blending the natural and spiritual worlds in a twist and turn of current and historical occurrences. The familiar scriptural references added a new perspective and dimension to the life, and death, of our Lord, Jesus.
The story also hit close to home in the trials of family dynamics of these past several years the pandemic.
Wendy Jo Cerna’s pace of story telling was perfect. The voices of each character identifiable adding depth to the well written tales and characters; even Maximus, the faithful canine.

We look forward to listening to Wendy Jo Cerna’s next books.